Embark on an exciting holiday adventure in Bismarck with our guide. Discover all the top festive events.
One event you won’t want to miss is the Bismarck Christmas Parade, a charming spectacle that brings the city streets to life with dazzling floats and joyous music. Experience twinkling light displays and festive cheer during Christmas in the Park, where the holiday spirit shines bright. And the Bismarck Santa Run is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing families together to celebrate with fun, fitness, and holiday costumes. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bismarck
- Bismarck Christmas Parade
- Christmas in the Park
- Bismarck Santa Run
- A Christmas Carol - Capitol Theater
- Bismarck Christmas Market
- Christmas Eve at Legacy United Methodist
- Festival of Trees
- Nutcracker Ballet
Bismarck Holiday Light Displays
Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display in Sertoma Park
Description:
Sertoma Park bursts with color during Christmas in the Park, a drive-through light extravaganza. Visitors cruise through a mile-long route adorned with twinkling displays and animated scenes. The event showcases over 100 unique light installations, each sponsored by local businesses and organizations. Tune your car radio to a special station for synchronized holiday music as you journey through the illuminated wonderland. This eco-friendly celebration uses energy-efficient LED lights, continuing a tradition that began in 1996.
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Bismarck Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bismarck Christmas Market
What to Expect:
German-inspired outdoor market with local artisans
Description:
The Bismarck Christmas Market brings a touch of European tradition to North Dakota. This open-air bazaar features local artisans selling handcrafted goods, from intricate ornaments to warm woolen mittens. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked strudel and mulled wine. Visitors can try their hand at traditional German crafts like candle-making or gingerbread decorating. The market pays homage to Bismarck's namesake, Otto von Bismarck, and the city's German heritage, which dates back to its founding in 1872.
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Bismarck Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Auction of designer-decorated trees for charity
Description:
The Festival of Trees transforms the Bismarck Event Center into a forest of creativity. Local designers and businesses showcase their talents by decorating elaborate Christmas trees, which are then auctioned off to benefit local charities. Visitors can stroll through the dazzling display, admiring the innovative themes and intricate ornaments. Children delight in the Teddy Bear Tea, where they can enjoy refreshments alongside their favorite stuffed companions. This event has raised over $2 million for community organizations since its inception in 1987.
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Bismarck Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol - Capitol Theater
What to Expect:
Interactive performance with audience participation
Description:
The Capitol Theater breathes new life into Dickens' classic tale with an innovative production of A Christmas Carol. This interactive performance breaks the fourth wall, inviting audience members to participate in key scenes. The theater's historic 1920s architecture provides a fitting backdrop for the Victorian-era story. Authentic period costumes and live music transport you to 19th-century London. During intermission, explore the theater's original Art Deco features, which have been carefully preserved since its opening.
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A Christmas Carol - Capitol Theater
Nutcracker Ballet
What to Expect:
Performance featuring local dance students alongside professionals
Description:
The Nutcracker Ballet comes to life on the Belle Mehus Auditorium stage, blending the talents of professional dancers with local dance students. This collaborative production showcases the community's artistic spirit while maintaining a high caliber of performance. Elaborate sets and costumes, many handcrafted by local artisans, create a visually stunning experience. The historic 1914 auditorium, with its exceptional acoustics, provides the perfect setting for Tchaikovsky's beloved score. During intermission, you can explore displays detailing the ballet's history and its significance in Bismarck's cultural landscape.
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Bismarck Other Holiday Activities
Bismarck Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
Bismarck's streets transform into a glowing spectacle during the annual Christmas Parade. Illuminated floats, marching bands, and costumed characters wind through downtown, creating a dazzling display against the night sky. Spectators can warm up with hot cocoa while enjoying the procession. This tradition dates back to 1908, making it one of North Dakota's longest-running holiday parades. You'll marvel at the creativity of local businesses and organizations as they showcase their holiday spirit through elaborate float designs.
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Bismarck Santa Run
What to Expect:
Festive 5K run with participants dressed as Santa
Description:
Bismarck's streets fill with a sea of red as hundreds of Santas dash through downtown in the annual Santa Run. This jolly 5K race combines fitness with holiday cheer, as participants don complimentary Santa suits provided with registration. The event supports local charities, spreading goodwill throughout the community. Spectators line the route, cheering on the runners and enjoying the surreal sight of countless Santas sprinting past. After crossing the finish line, Santas can refuel with milk and cookies.
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Christmas Eve at Legacy United Methodist
What to Expect:
Candlelight service with live nativity scene
Description:
Legacy United Methodist Church offers a reverent Christmas Eve experience with its candlelight service and live nativity scene. As dusk falls, the church grounds come alive with costumed actors and animals recreating the biblical story. Inside, the sanctuary glows with hundreds of candles as worshippers join in traditional carols. The service incorporates elements of Bismarck's diverse community, with readings in multiple languages. This inclusive celebration reflects the church's history of welcoming immigrants since its founding in the late 1800s.
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Christmas Eve at Legacy United Methodist
Nearby Events
Mandan Holiday Lights Parade (Mandan)
What to Expect:
Parade featuring antique tractors decorated with lights
Description:
Mandan's Holiday Lights Parade illuminates Main Street with a unique twist on tradition. Antique tractors, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, rumble down the street alongside more conventional floats. This agricultural touch celebrates the region's farming heritage. Local high school bands provide a soundtrack of seasonal tunes as they march. Spectators can vote for their favorite entries using a mobile app, adding an interactive element to the festivities. The parade culminates with the lighting of Mandan's community Christmas tree.